Runners in Integrity Worldwide’s Run for Kenya only ran a few miles on Saturday, but they helped make a world of difference thousands of miles away.

The annual run always raises funding for Integrity, a local organization that has focused in on changing the lives of the people in Meto, Kenya and this year was no different. Money raised from Saturday’s race is going toward building a medical clinic in Meto.

“It’s just amazing what they are doing over there with the profits and with what little bit of profits they make, how much they do with them,” said Bridgette Tatum, who ran in the 1-mile fun run.

Elizabeth Gilmer, who served as Integrity’s race coordinator, said 340 runners participated in this year’s event.

Through sponsorships and race participation, Integrity was able to bring in about $100,000 to go toward the medical clinic, Gilmer said. Exact totals won’t be known until later in the month.

“All of the profit from that will go to build the Integrity Health Medical and Dental Clinic,” Gilmer said.

“We are getting very close to our goal to be able to complete the building of that.”

A blueprint of the clinic was available for runners to check out before or after the race. Integrity has already broken ground on the clinic in Meto and hopes to have it completed at some point in the next year.

The winners of this year’s race received an extra special award this year. Women at a church in Meto made handmade jewelry, giving each of the top finishes a one-of-a-kind connection to the people they were helping.

“It’s two fold because it helps me be more healthy and then you are giving to the cause to raise money to help those kids,” said Deon Irby, a Selma native that made the trip from Tuscaloosa to run Saturday.

Some of Saturday’s runners were veterans and come back to run in Integrity’s race each year.

Others, like Clarissa Saintflex, were running in the event for the first time.

The newcomers had plenty of support from spectators at the finish line, who cheered loudly every time somebody made the final turn.

“The last mile is definitely the hardest but you look up and see the finish line and realize you’ve conquered a goal. It’s satisfying,” Saintflex said.

Jejuua Mauldin from Orrville won the 5K with a finishing time of 19:38. Tony Johnson from Selma finished first in the 10K with a time of 37:51.